Fence post cap assembly

ABSTRACT

A fence post cap assembly is provided, the assembly comprises a cap member having cylindrical side walls and a generally circular topside surface, the cap member is adapted to be attach onto a fence post; a loop member having a generally rounded portion leading to two opposing arms; and a device for securing the loop member to the cap member during an installed position.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/591,874entitled “Fence Post Cap Assembly” which was filed on Nov. 3, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention:

This invention relates to a fence post cap assembly designed for easyreplacement when a post cap is damaged or broken. The fence post capassembly of the present invention allows for easy installation orreinstallation of post cap without reassembly of the chain links andhorizontal top rail or fence post.

2. Description of the Related Art:

A wide variety of fencing structures have been used to separate orenclose areas of industrial, commercial, residential and other realestate properties. Common examples of fences include stockade, chainlink, wire, and split rail fences. Fencing products may be fabricatedfrom many different materials such as metals, wood, plastic andcombination or composites thereof. Conventional fence post caps areeither cast metal pieces or fabricated metal pieces.

One of the biggest problems with fence post caps is that they arecontinuously being damaged by vandalism or even just long term wear andtear. Under conventional methods, if a fence post cap is damaged orbroken, the entire or a significant amount of the fence must bedisassembled including removal of the horizontal top rail and the chainlinks. Once a conventional post cap is damaged or destroyed, the toprail and the chain link must be first disassembled to remove the brokencap and then reassembled to insert the new cap and to erect the fence.

The present invention provides for a fence post cap assembly that allowsfor easy installation without having to disassemble the entire fenceincluding the top rail and chain links. The present invention providesfor a plurality of embodiments which potentially could become theindustry standards for fence post caps. The present invention canprovide a viable and improved cap assembly which can replaceconventional caps and once installed, the cap assembly of the presentinvention, if damaged, can be easily replaced and reinstalled fasterthan conventional post caps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, a fence post cap assembly isprovided, the assembly comprises a first cap member designed to attachonto a fence post; a second cap member having a circumference largerthan the first cap member, the second cap member is designed to fit overthe first cap member, the second cap member having at least twoapertures; and a loop member having a rounded portion leading to twoarms with opposing ends, during an installed position, each of the endsare designed to fit within the apertures of the second cap member whilethe second cap member is placed over the first cap member therebylocking the loop member and the second cap member onto the first capmember. For purposes of this invention, the term “loop cap” is alsocalled an “eye cap”.

In another embodiment, the second cap member has an underside, theunderside has grooves which are designed to hold the arms of the loopmember during the installed position. In still another embodiment, thearms of the loop member are angled to fit in between the underside ofthe second cap member and an outer side of the first cap member in theinstalled position. In yet another embodiment, the assembly of thepresent invention further comprising at least one vertical and at leastone horizontal fence post. For purposes of this invention, thehorizontal fence post is also the horizontal top rail.

In still yet another embodiment, the first cap member is situated uponan upper portion of the vertical fence post, the horizontal fence postis situated within the rounded portion of the loop member, the arms andopposing ends of the loop member are inserted into the apertures of thesecond cap member, the second cap member is attached and locked onto thefirst cap member. In a further embodiment, the loop member furthercomprises an extended portion, which is designed to receive barb wire.

In still a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a fencepost cap assembly comprising: a cap member designed to attach onto afence post; a loop member having a rounded portion leading to twoopposing arms; and a device for securing the loop member to the capmember during an installed position.

In yet a further embodiment, the loop member further comprises anextended portion which is designed to receive barb wire. In still yet afurther embodiment, the securing device is selected from a groupconsisting of screws, pins, rods, and pegs.

In still yet a further embodiment, the assembly further comprising atleast one vertical and at least one horizontal fence post, the capmember is situated upon an upper portion of the vertical fence post, thehorizontal fence post is situated within the rounded portion of the loopmember, the arms of the loop member is secured onto the extended membersof the cap member during an installed position. In another furtherembodiment, the cap member has a top surface which has at least twoextended members, and the loop member is attached to the extendedmembers.

In still another further embodiment, the present invention provides fora fence post cap assembly comprising: a cap member designed to attachonto a fence post, the cap member having a top surface with an apertureand extended member; and a loop member having a rounded portion leadingto two opposing arms, a first arm being hingedly attached to theextended member, the second arm capable of being inserted into theaperture of the top surface of the cap member.

In yet another further embodiment, the assembly further comprising adevice for hingedly attaching the first arm of the loop member to theextended member of the cap member. In still yet another furtherembodiment, the attaching device is selected from a group consisting ofscrews, pins, rods, and pegs.

In another embodiment, the assembly further comprising at least onevertical and at least one horizontal fence post. In still anotherembodiment, the cap member is situated upon an upper portion of thevertical fence post, the horizontal fence post is situated within therounded portion of the loop member, the second arm of the loop member isinserted into the aperture of the cap member thereby securing the loopmember to the cap member during an installed position.

In yet another embodiment, the second arm of the loop member having anextended end. In still yet another embodiment, the extended end of thesecond arm is situated in between an underside of the cap member and anouter side of the vertical fence post. In a further embodiment, the loopmember is hinged backwards to allow insertion of the horizontal fencepost and then hinged forward to allow the second arm to be inserted intothe aperture during installation of the assembly to the vertical andhorizontal fence posts.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides for a fence postcap assembly comprising: a first cap member comprising a topside surfaceand at least one side wall, the side wall has exterior and interiorsurfaces; a second cap member comprising a topside surface with anopposing underside surface and at least one side wall, the topsidesurface of the second cap member has a circumference larger than thetopside surface of the first cap member, the side wall of the second caphas exterior and interior surfaces, the second cap member is adapted tobe fit over the first cap member, and the second cap member has at leasttwo apertures on said topside surface; and a loop member having agenerally rounded portion leading to two arms with two indentations andtwo terminal ends, during an installed position, each of the arms isadapted to be fit within each of the apertures of the second cap memberwhile the second cap member is placed over the first cap member therebylocking the loop member and the second cap member onto the first capmember, at least a portion of the indentations of the arms of the loopmember are situated between the topside surface of the first cap memberand the underside surface of the second cap member during the installedposition.

In still a further embodiment, the present invention also provides for afence post cap assembly comprising: a first cap member comprising atopside surface and at least one side wall; a second cap membercomprising a topside surface with an opposing underside surface and atleast one side wall forming an internal cavity, the second cap memberhas at least one aperture, the second cap member has a size larger thanthe first cap member that allows the first cap member to fit within theinternal cavity of the second cap member; and a loop member has a fencepost receiving portion leading to at least one arm with at least oneindentation and at least two terminal end, during an installed position,the arm is inserted within the aperture of the second cap member whilethe second cap member is placed over the first cap member to therebylock the first cap member within the internal cavity of the second capmember, at least a portion of the indentation of the arm of the loopmember are situated between the topside surface of the first cap memberand the underside surface of the second cap member during the installedposition.

In yet a further embodiment, the present invention also relates to afence post cap locking apparatus comprising: a first cap membercomprising a generally circular topside surface and at least onegenerally cylindrical side wall forming an internal cavity; a second capmember comprising a generally circular topside surface with an opposingunderside surface and at least one generally cylindrical side wallforming an internal cavity, the second cap member has at least twoapertures leading from the topside surface into the internal cavity ofthe second cap member, the topside surface of the second cap member hasa diameter larger than the topside surface of the first cap member thatallows the first cap member to fit within the internal cavity of thesecond cap member; and a loop member has a generally rounded portionleading to at least two arms with at least two indentations and at leasttwo terminal ends, during an installed position, each of the arms isinserted within each of the apertures of the second cap member while thesecond cap member is placed over the first cap member to thereby lockthe first cap member within the internal cavity of the second capmember, at least a portion of the terminal end of each of the arms ofthe loop member is situated between the exterior surface of the sidewall of the first cap member and the interior surface of the side wallof the second cap member during the installed position.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a fence post capassembly comprising: a cap member adapted to be attached onto a fencepost, the cap member has at least two extended members; a loop memberhaving a generally rounded portion leading to two opposing arms; and adevice for securing the loop member to the extended members of the capmember during an installed position.

In still another embodiment, the loop member further comprises anextended portion, the extended portion is designed to receive barb wire.In yet another embodiment, the securing device is selected from a groupconsisting of screws, pins, rods, and pegs. In still yet anotherembodiment, the assembly further comprising at least one vertical and atleast one horizontal fence post, the cap member is situated upon anupper portion of the vertical fence post, the horizontal fence post issituated within the rounded portion of the loop member, the arms of theloop member is secured onto the extended members of the cap memberduring an installed position.

In a further embodiment, each of the two arms of the loop member isattached to each of the extended portions of the cap member during theinstalled position. In yet a further embodiment, the securing devicelocks each of the two arms of the loop member to each of the extendedportions of the cap member during the installed position.

In still a further embodiment, the cap member comprises cylindrical sidewalls and a generally circular topside surface. In still yet a furtherembodiment, the extended portions of the cap member are situated on thesidewalls of the cap member. In another further embodiment, the extendedportions of the cap member are situated on the topside surface of thecap member. In yet another further embodiment, the present inventionprovides for fence post cap assembly comprising: a cap member havingcylindrical side walls and a generally circular topside surface, the capmember is adapted to be attach onto a fence post; a loop member having agenerally rounded portion leading to two opposing arms; and a device forsecuring the loop member to the cap member during an installed position.For installation, the broken cap or loop member is disassembled from thehorizontal and vertical fence post without removing the links from theposts. The new cap member is attached to the vertical fence post and theloop member is placed over the horizontal fence post and the loop memberis then secured to the cap member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the present invention. These drawings are incorporatedin and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or moreembodiments of the present invention, and together with the description,serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one of the embodiments of the fence postassemblies of the present invention in an uninstalled position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of view of FIG. 1 in an installed position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of FIG. 2 as it relates with a vertical andhorizontal posts and chain link fence;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of FIG. 2 with an extended portion attachedto the loop member for receiving barb wire;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of FIG. 7 in an installed position;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of FIG. 7 as it relates with a vertical adhorizontal posts and chain link fence;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of FIG. 7 with an extended portionattached to the loop member for receiving barb wire;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention with a hinging loop member in an installed position;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of FIG. 11 in an uninstalled position; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of FIG. 11 as it relates with a verticalad horizontal posts and chain link fence.

Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, otherobjects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. The drawings constitute a part of this specification andinclude exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustratevarious objects and features thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousforms. The figures are not necessary to scale, some features may beexaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and asa representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the present invention provides for a fencepost cap assembly 10. The assembly 10 comprises a first cap member 1designed to attach onto a fence post; a second cap member 2 having acircumference larger than the first cap member 1, and the second capmember 2 is designed to fit over the first cap member 1. The second capmember 2 has at least two apertures, 3 a and 3 b. The assembly 10further comprises a loop member 4 having a rounded portion 5 leading totwo arms 6 with opposing ends, 6 a and 6 b respectively. During aninstalled position, each of the ends, 6 a and 6 b, are designed to fitwithin the apertures, 3 a and 3 b, of the second cap member 2 while thesecond cap member 2 is placed over the first cap member 1 to therebylock the loop member 4 and the second cap member 2 onto the first capmember 1. In another embodiment, the second cap member 2 has anunderside, the underside has grooves 11 which are designed to hold thearms 6 of the loop member 4 during the installed position. In stillanother embodiment, the arms 6 of the loop member 4 are angled to fit inbetween the underside of the second cap member 2 and an outer side ofthe first cap member 1 in the installed position.

FIG. 4 shows a horizontal fence post 7 placed within the rounded portion5 of the loop member and a vertical post 8 having a top portion 8 aattached to the first cap member 1. A chain link fence 9 is thenattached to the horizontal post 7 and the vertical post 8. FIG. 5depicts the loop member 4 further comprises an extended portion 13 whichis designed to receive barb wire (not shown).

FIGS. 6-9 relates to another embodiment of the present invention whichprovides for fence post cap assembly 20 comprising: a cap member 21designed to attach onto a fence post; a loop member 24 having a roundedportion 25 leading to two opposing arms, 26 a and 26 b, respectively;and a device 22 for securing the loop member 24 to the cap member 21during an installed position. In other embodiments, the opposing arms 26a and 26 b are either directly attached to the side of the cap member 21or on the side wall of the cap member 21.

In another further embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-8, the cap member 21 hasa top surface 21 c which has at least two extended members, 21 a and 21b respectively, and the loop member 24 has opposing arms 26 a and 26 bwhich are attached to the extended members, 21 a and 21 b. The securingdevice 22 is selected from a group consisting of screws, pins, rods, andpegs. The securing device is designed to secure and lock the loop member24 onto the cap member 21 during installation.

FIG. 9 illustrates the assembly 20 which further comprises at least onevertical fence post 28 and at least one horizontal fence post 27, andthe cap member 21 is situated upon an upper portion 28 a of the verticalfence post 28. The horizontal fence post 27 is situated within therounded portion 25 of the loop member 24, and the arms, 26 a and 26 b,of the loop member 24 is secured onto the extended members 21 a and 21 bof the cap member 21 during an installed position. A chain link fence 29is attached to the horizontal post 27 and the vertical post 28. FIG. 10shows the loop member 24 which further comprises an extended portion 23which is designed to receive barb wire (not shown).

FIGS. 11-13 relates to another embodiment of the present invention. Thepresent invention provides for a fence post cap assembly 30 comprising:a cap member 31 designed to attach onto a fence post, the cap member 31having a top surface 31 a with an aperture 41 and extended member 42;and a loop member 34 having a rounded portion 35 leading to two opposingarms, 36 a and 36 b respectively. A first arm 36 a is hingedly attachedto the extended member 42 of the top surface 31 a of the cap member 31,and the second arm 36 b capable of being inserted into the aperture 41of the top surface 31 a of the cap member 31. The assembly 30 furthercomprises a device 46 for hingedly attaching the first arm 36 a of theloop member 34 to the extended member 42 of the cap member 31. In stillyet another further embodiment, the attaching device 46 is selected froma group consisting of screws, pins, rods, and pegs.

FIG. 13 shows the assembly 30 further comprises at least one verticalfence post 38 and at least one horizontal fence post 37. In stillanother embodiment, the cap member 31 is situated upon an upper portion38 a of the vertical fence post 38, and the horizontal fence post 37 issituated within the rounded portion 35 of the loop member 31. The secondarm 36 b of the loop member 31 is inserted into the aperture 41 of thecap member 31 to thereby secure the loop member 34 to the cap member 31during an installed position. The second arm 36 b of the loop member 31has an extended end 49. The extended end 49 of the second arm 36 b issituated in between an underside of the cap member 31 and an outer sideof the vertical fence post 38. In a further embodiment, the loop member34 is hinged backwards to allow insertion of the horizontal fence post37 and then hinged forward to allow the second arm 36 b to be insertedinto the aperture 41 during installation of the assembly to the verticaland horizontal fence posts.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the attendant claims attachedhereto, this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydisclosed herein.

1. A fence post cap assembly comprising: a cap member adapted to beattach onto a fence post; a loop member having a generally roundedportion leading to two opposing arms; and a device for securing saidloop member to said cap member during an installed position.
 2. Theassembly of claim 1 wherein said loop member further comprises anextended portion, said extended portion is designed to receive barbwire.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said securing device isselected from a group consisting of screws, pins, rods, and pegs.
 4. Theassembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one vertical and atleast one horizontal fence post, said cap member is situated upon anupper portion of said vertical fence post, said horizontal fence post issituated within said rounded portion of said loop member, said arms ofsaid loop member being secured onto said extended members of said capmember during an installed position.
 5. The assembly of claim 1 whereinsaid cap member having a top surface, said top surface having at leasttwo extended members, said loop member being attached to said extendedmembers.
 6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said cap member comprisescylindrical side walls and a generally circular topside surface.
 7. Theassembly of claim 6 wherein said extended portions of said cap memberare situated on said sidewalls of said cap member.
 8. The assembly ofclaim 6 wherein said extended portions of said cap member are situatedon said topside surface of said cap member.
 9. The assembly of claim 5wherein each of said two arms of said loop member is attached to each ofsaid extended portions of said cap member during said installedposition.
 10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said securing device lockseach of said two arms of said loop member to each of said extendedportions of said cap member during said installed position.
 11. A fencepost cap assembly comprising: a cap member adapted to be attached onto afence post, said cap member having at least two extended members; a loopmember having a generally rounded portion leading to two opposing arms;and a device for securing said loop member to said extended members ofsaid cap member during an installed position.
 12. The assembly of claim11 wherein said loop member further comprises an extended portion, saidextended portion is designed to receive barb wire.
 13. The assembly ofclaim 11 wherein said securing device is selected from a groupconsisting of screws, pins, rods, and pegs.
 14. The assembly of claim 11further comprising at least one vertical and at least one horizontalfence post, said cap member is situated upon an upper portion of saidvertical fence post, said horizontal fence post is situated within saidrounded portion of said loop member, said arms of said loop member beingsecured onto said extended members of said cap member during aninstalled position.
 15. The assembly of claim 11 wherein each of saidtwo arms of said loop member is attached to each of said extendedportions of said cap member during said installed position.
 16. Theassembly of claim 11 wherein said securing device locks each of said twoarms of said loop member to each of said extended portions of said capmember during said installed position.
 17. The assembly of claim 11wherein said cap member comprises cylindrical side walls and a generallycircular topside surface.
 18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein saidextended portions of said cap member are situated on said sidewalls ofsaid cap member.
 19. The assembly of claim 17 wherein said extendedportions of said cap member are situated on said topside surface of saidcap member.
 20. A fence post cap assembly comprising: a cap memberhaving cylindrical side walls and a generally circular topside surface,said cap member adapted to be attach onto a fence post; a loop memberhaving a generally rounded portion leading to two opposing arms; and adevice for securing said loop member to said cap member during aninstalled position.